Penn State football: Abdul Carter ‘grows in confidence’ each day in new role, says Tom Allen

It’s been an offseason filled with new faces for the Penn State football program. However, perhaps the most significant change comes from one of the more well-known Nittany Lions, as standout defender Abdul Carter makes the switch from linebacker to defensive end ahead of his junior season. It’s a notable adjustment, even for a player with Carter’s talent. But the transition is going smoothly, according to new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who provided an early progress report following spring practice this week.

Tom Allen: Abdul Carter sees his confidence grow each day in new role

It’s been a little over a month since Abdul Carter made the move from linebacker to putting his hand in the dirt as an edge rusher. A decision driven more by Carter’s natural body composition than a push from the Penn State football coaching staff, it’s still a significant change from his first two years with the Nittany Lions. 

But by all accounts, the switch seems to be going well. Speaking to the media following spring practice Tuesday evening, new defensive coordinator Tom Allen provided an early update on how Abdul Carter has taken to the change on the field. 

“It’s been good. I would say, first of all, you can see each day he grows in confidence in playing that position,” Allen said. “And I think that position flexibility, he kind of magnifies that. I think that’s going to be big for us and the situational football opportunities for it, as well: third downs and certainly in places on the field, and what he can do as both a rush defender as well as a guy that can play in space and be a linebacker, those kinds of things.

“So, I think he has a special skill set. He obviously has a ton of talent, and he’s practicing really hard right now.”

Penn State football staff “excited about the move,” says James Franklin

Abdul Carter has already been a force in the backfield as a linebacker, racking up 16 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in two seasons with Penn State football.

His early production is part of why he’s already garnering hype as one of the sport’s next superstars. There’s plenty of excitement around the Nittany Lions’ newest edge rusher, but no one inside the program is shying away from the level of effort it will take for the position change to be successful.

“I know Abdul is excited about it, and we’re looking forward to having an opportunity to work with him, but it is a big change. He’s never really done this before, and it is a big change,” James Franklin said at his press conference to kick off spring practice earlier this month.

“It’s not just like you make the decision to move, and you snap your fingers, and automatically, you’re a defensive end. It’s a different world the closer you get to the ball, just like it’s a different world if you move back to the secondary. We’re excited about watching his development and growth, and it should be exciting.”